You've probably heard a thing or two about or newest brand ambassador (you should've heard more by now to be honest though)! He's become a household name amongst the SUP community and for good reason. His passion for SUP is contagious, his willingness to help others is heartfelt and the expeditions he has completed, to many, would sound absolutely insane. Just wait and see what he has on his plate for 2014!
Shane Perrin who paddles extreme distances for charity is amongst our sport's elite. From the first paddler to finish and overcome adversity in the 300 mile Florida Everglades challenge, to the Iron Athlete paddle combining different paddles in different cities within 10 days accomplishing these paddles isn't just about paddling and being the first, it's about the journey and if you read about his journey into SUP in the first place, it's quite inspiring. Here, Shane's wife, Elissa, writes about where he started and what he has become.
He's commonly known as The Stand Up guy and not just because he's this ultra distance SUP'er doing extreme distance races. He's big into developing his local SUP community in St. Louis by starting SUP St. Louis and further afield hosting The Distance on Stoke Radio, a dedicated Stand Up Paddle radio show. He's a Glide SUP team rider and if that's not enough he's been busy developing his non-profit called Beyond the Board. Oh and we suppose now he's going to add Brand Ambassador to his plate. We're stoked and here's our 1st post with Shane:
Location
St. Louis, Missouri.
What is your favorite place to paddle?
The Meramec river is 10 minutes from my house. It's not the best river by any means. It has alot of shallows and very rocky areas. There are lot of tree stumps, some car tires, and flying Asian Carp. I just love it for the challenges it presents. The river changes throughout the year an always surprises me.
Where do you dream of paddling?
I'd really like to paddle internationally more. I raced In Belize last year and the river was nothing special but the people and the culture made it a magical. Camping on the riverbanks each night and just talking to folks and learning was the real adventure.
But if I had to narrow it down to a place, maybe Abu Dhabi (hint hint). (No one has paddled from Dubai to Abu Dhabi. Yet. - Nick)
What attracted you to SUP?
The freedoms you receive from stand up was nothing like the 20+ years of canoe and kayaking. To be able to stand and move is much more engaging than sitting. You experience nature in a special way that's unparalleled.
Describe your best SUP experience.
My best experience was not one of my own expeditions. It actually came while supporting a friend and Glide team-mate, Nathan Woods (and one that Live Love SUP partnered with Nathan - Nick).
He had a traumatic leg injury a decade ago which left him with as he says "1.5 legs". Coming back from the injury, he decided to paddle 164 miles from Eugene to Portland, Oregon. I paddled with him as support and filmed the experience. It was amazing to watch him go through the expedition and grow as a person. I'll always remember the experience.
How are you involved with your local SUP community?
SUP didn't really exist in St. Louis a few years ago. So I took the plunge in 2012 and bought a fleet of boards and created Supstlouis. It's been extremely rewarding to educate and teach SUP on the local level and build the sport here. This year we had just under 400 clients.
On the other side of the business I run a meet up group, SUP STL. Additionally I'm in the process of a 501c3 called Beyond the Board. BTB helps people smash through diversity with paddle sports. We offer a free service to help people learn to paddle, to racing, or going on an expedition.
Why do you keep paddling?
Paddling has given me so much I can't begin to scratch the surface. Physically it allows me to push myself beyond a level I never have before while furthering the limits of endurance/distance paddling. It also allows me to help others through my paddles by raising funds for different charities.
The main reason why I keep paddling is the connection. SUP has allowed me to connect with so many people from all over the world and become part of their story as they become part of mine.
Why are you excited about Live Love SUP?
It's part of the connection. I believe in what LLS stands for, helping others. I'm excited that I can be part of something on an international scale while I'm based in good old Missouri. To be able to connect with and help people across the globe, there's nothing better than that.
What a stand up guy. Shane Perrin, we tip our Live Love SUP Baseball Cap to you. We are absolutely tickled pink to welcome Shane to the family and join the Brand Ambassador ranks. We are so stoked to promote his paddles and charities while he supports our community development and charity fundraising. We can't wait to see what paddles he has planned for the future and to be involved with him and support him along the way. Exciting times ahead!
Shane Perrin who paddles extreme distances for charity is amongst our sport's elite. From the first paddler to finish and overcome adversity in the 300 mile Florida Everglades challenge, to the Iron Athlete paddle combining different paddles in different cities within 10 days accomplishing these paddles isn't just about paddling and being the first, it's about the journey and if you read about his journey into SUP in the first place, it's quite inspiring. Here, Shane's wife, Elissa, writes about where he started and what he has become.
He's commonly known as The Stand Up guy and not just because he's this ultra distance SUP'er doing extreme distance races. He's big into developing his local SUP community in St. Louis by starting SUP St. Louis and further afield hosting The Distance on Stoke Radio, a dedicated Stand Up Paddle radio show. He's a Glide SUP team rider and if that's not enough he's been busy developing his non-profit called Beyond the Board. Oh and we suppose now he's going to add Brand Ambassador to his plate. We're stoked and here's our 1st post with Shane:
 |
| Paddling near the iconic Gateway Arch in St. Louis |
St. Louis, Missouri.
What is your favorite place to paddle?
The Meramec river is 10 minutes from my house. It's not the best river by any means. It has alot of shallows and very rocky areas. There are lot of tree stumps, some car tires, and flying Asian Carp. I just love it for the challenges it presents. The river changes throughout the year an always surprises me.
Where do you dream of paddling?
I'd really like to paddle internationally more. I raced In Belize last year and the river was nothing special but the people and the culture made it a magical. Camping on the riverbanks each night and just talking to folks and learning was the real adventure.
But if I had to narrow it down to a place, maybe Abu Dhabi (hint hint). (No one has paddled from Dubai to Abu Dhabi. Yet. - Nick)
 |
| Cross training and incorporating land paddling into The Iron Athlete event. |
The freedoms you receive from stand up was nothing like the 20+ years of canoe and kayaking. To be able to stand and move is much more engaging than sitting. You experience nature in a special way that's unparalleled.
Describe your best SUP experience.
My best experience was not one of my own expeditions. It actually came while supporting a friend and Glide team-mate, Nathan Woods (and one that Live Love SUP partnered with Nathan - Nick).
He had a traumatic leg injury a decade ago which left him with as he says "1.5 legs". Coming back from the injury, he decided to paddle 164 miles from Eugene to Portland, Oregon. I paddled with him as support and filmed the experience. It was amazing to watch him go through the expedition and grow as a person. I'll always remember the experience.
 |
| Shane Perrin and Nathan Woods on their way from Eugene to Oregon in 3 days only. |
SUP didn't really exist in St. Louis a few years ago. So I took the plunge in 2012 and bought a fleet of boards and created Supstlouis. It's been extremely rewarding to educate and teach SUP on the local level and build the sport here. This year we had just under 400 clients.
On the other side of the business I run a meet up group, SUP STL. Additionally I'm in the process of a 501c3 called Beyond the Board. BTB helps people smash through diversity with paddle sports. We offer a free service to help people learn to paddle, to racing, or going on an expedition.
Why do you keep paddling?
Paddling has given me so much I can't begin to scratch the surface. Physically it allows me to push myself beyond a level I never have before while furthering the limits of endurance/distance paddling. It also allows me to help others through my paddles by raising funds for different charities.
The main reason why I keep paddling is the connection. SUP has allowed me to connect with so many people from all over the world and become part of their story as they become part of mine.
 |
| Friendships are made on the water. Shane with Nathan. |
It's part of the connection. I believe in what LLS stands for, helping others. I'm excited that I can be part of something on an international scale while I'm based in good old Missouri. To be able to connect with and help people across the globe, there's nothing better than that.
 |
| Two hands for beginners Shane... |
What a stand up guy. Shane Perrin, we tip our Live Love SUP Baseball Cap to you. We are absolutely tickled pink to welcome Shane to the family and join the Brand Ambassador ranks. We are so stoked to promote his paddles and charities while he supports our community development and charity fundraising. We can't wait to see what paddles he has planned for the future and to be involved with him and support him along the way. Exciting times ahead!
